Chronic Back Pain Could Be Made Worse by Spouse Hostility

According to a recent study, lower back pain may be heightened if a spouse is unsupportive or critical of their partner. Published in August, the report involved observing 71 couples during a 10-minute discussion. The researchers were looking to see how a spouseís perspective could influence a patientís ability to deal with pain when they were suffering from a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or a degenerative disc. After the discussion, the patients suffering from chronic back pain were asked to do a 10-minute activity which involved stretching, bending, reclining, walking, standing, and sitting, while their partner watched on. The research team measured the levels of hostility and criticism from the spouse along with how much criticism was perceived by the patient. They also monitored the patientsí depressive symptoms, pain behaviors, and pain intensity.

How Negativity Can Intensify Chronic Back PainIt was intended for the initial 10-minute discussion to create conflict, but the amount of hostility or criticism given wasnít manipulated. The researchers were successful in creating this conflict, with all patients reporting significant increases in their feelings of sadness, anger, and anxiety. Throughout the activity, the patients who experienced greater pain and were more likely to observe greater criticism from their spouses have been found to have higher depression scores.†

Combatting Chronic Back Pain† Speaking about the study, John Burns who was their lead researcher suggested that until now, most studies have focused on how adequate social support can positively influence someone with chronic pain. However, this study has demonstrated how negative communication from a spouse can have a harmful effect on pain patients, with these negative responses often creating a vicious cycle. Spouse criticism can cause pain among patients as expressed by straining, groaning, and grimacing up to three hours later. This can also lead to further spouse criticism up to three hours later. When someone is experiencing back pain, itís very easy to criticize, dismiss them, or even act in a hostile manner toward them. However, when a patient is enduring pain, the best type of support is to help them lead the best life they can despite their pain. For back pain sufferers, this may also include getting the help of a chiropractor. As studies suggest, this noninvasive treatment is effective at relieving this type of pain. If youíve got chronic back pain, donít suffer in silence. Seek the professional advice and care of your local chiropractor.

Young and Hypertense: Do You Know if You Have High Blood Pressure?

If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 39, there is a good chance you have high blood pressure and may not know it. Research findings in eight national health surveys conducted between 1999 and 2014 suggest that only half of the 6.7 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 who actually have high blood pressure or hypertension received treatment for it. Most High Blood Pressure Goes UndiagnosedApproximately 75 million adults in the US, which is roughly 32% of the population, have high blood pressure.† While awareness of and treatment for hypertension and high blood pressure has improved in recent years, a significant number of people still go undiagnosed and untreated every year. And a large percentage of those people are men under the age of 39. Over 86% of women with high blood pressure have been diagnosed and sought treatment, compared with 44% of young men. High blood pressure and hypertension are the leading cause of stroke and heart attack, and contribute to one in 4 deaths every year in the US alone. High blood pressure can be caused by many factors, including obesity, smoking, stress, and genetics. In many cases the risk factors can be reduced or eliminated and the condition can be controlled.† However, failure to seek medical opinion and treatment can have serious consequences.

Reducing Stress With Chiropractic Care May Reduce Blood PressureStudies conducted at Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Womenís Hospital in Boston, MA show that individuals who have shown elevated blood pressure in adolescence and early adulthood are at greater risk for heart attacks later in life. Researches suggest that preventing high blood pressure in the first place by exercising, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco is one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of hypertension or high blood pressure.† If medication I required to control the condition, patients tend to get better results when they are young. Chiropractic care can also help alleviate or eliminate sources of stress caused by chronic pain, which can contribute to an overall reduction in blood pressure. If you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease in your family, or think you may be suffering from the condition, you are encouraged to seek a medical evaluation and treatment.